Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Quaree Singletary engaged in a struggle with city cop Anthony Villanueva after Villanueva abruptly ended Singletary's phone call to relatives. With your experience, Im sure youre familiar with your Fifth Amendment rights, Bongiovanni said during the 10-minute court appearance. Body camera footage showed Villanueva tracking down, tackling and punching Felton in the head twice from behind following a foot chase in March 2017. Inman was arrested at the Trenton Police Station Tuesday morning and is now suspended. The man tells the officers, Stop hitting me in my face.". Attorney Robin Lord is seeing her client Chanzie Washington's claims of police brutality vindicated. Katz & Dougherty, LLC, attorneys for appellant Anthony Villanueva (George T. Dougherty , on the briefs). Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. Villanueva and Inman knowingly made numerous misrepresentations, false statements and omissions in an effort to portray Victim 1 as the aggressor and an ongoing threat, the indictment says. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Anthony Villanueva, then 25, after leaving U.S. District Court in Trenton in an April 2019 file photo.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med. He was assisted that night by a police aide (the aide). He didnt have a flashlight. The video also captured Villanueva bragging about the arrest later on a phone call. Trenton Police department was aware of the the investigation and cooperated fully with federal authorities. Trenton, GA Cureton , Phillip Lebron 2/15/1977 9846 W Ridge Trail Rd - Soddy Daisy, TN Curington , Jessica Lee 9/28/1979 be arrested and re-processed. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva pepper sprayed a prisoner who was confined to a holding cell at Trenton Police Headquarters, according to authorities. Anthony Villanueva, Trenton Police Department Adam L. Wills, Pemberton Twp. You can explore additional available newsletters here. Trenton:609-989-2190 Bongiovanni ordered the government to turn over to the defense the names of any witnesses and victims so there wasnt any confusion. Official websites use .gov . Camden:856-757-5026 Video of the incident showed Singletary strolling unaccompanied down the hall leading to the jail cells and entering the cell. On appeal from the New Jersey Civil Service . An anonymous cop from the department toldTrentonian that the police department is painting Anthony as the villain., Villanueva has hired an attorney who said,Ive already made plans to defend him on these charges, but theres no sense putting on my battle gear before the battle starts. Suicide Note Revealed After Shocking Death, Indicted! TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by federal agents and charged with assault and obstruction of justice, authorities announced on Tuesday. Villanueva and Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday. All rights reserved, Philly POPS Musicians Disappointed' by Recent Moves, Trump Supporters Get Parole in Philadelphia Weapons Case, Check Your Change! According toTrentonian,the Trenton Police Department is setting up the Hispanic cop, Officer Anthony Villanueva, as the sole fall guy and Villanueva was placed on restricted duty within a week, but Inman remained on the streets for more than a month before being placed on restriction. As of last month,Villanueva was suspended without pay. Both Inman and Villanueva were granted unsecured bail on Tuesday, meaning they can go home. They punched him numerous times while Washington cried out, stop hitting me, and youve got my hands.. In the Trenton case, city cops Villanueva and Inman were hit in a six-count indictment that charged civilrights deprivation and falsifying police records. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). TRENTON - City police officer Drew Inman was arrested Tuesday morning by the FBI as part of an investigation targeting former and current officers over allegations of use of excessive force.. Villanueva, who was standing on the same side of the chain-link fence, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, the feds alleged. Inman, sporting the shaved-head look, was still attired in his Trenton Police garb of a black polo shirt and cargo pants. Capt. Investigators say Inman and Villanueva prepared and submitted false and fraudulent reports in order to justify their actions and portray the man as the aggressor and an ongoing threat. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Singletary and his attorneys may be banking on power in numbers. Incidents like these erode the publics confidence in law enforcement, and make policing harder for everyone whose job it is to keep our communities safe., FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie called the cops actions a violation of trust., Civil rights violations are of great concern, particularly when the allegations involve a member of law enforcement, he said in a statement. I believe that if my client gets a fair hearing he wont be charged.. The indictment also recounted Villanuevas Nov. 28, 2017 encounter with Quaree Singletary inside TPD headquarters. / CBS Philadelphia. Accountability starts from the top.. Villanueva maced Singletary while he was inside a cell after a dustup that started when, the cop claimed, Singletary refused to get off the phone. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. Passaic Clinton, Hunterdon Trenton, Mercer Tuckerton, Ocean Union Beach, Monmouth Union City, Hudson Union Township, . That decision was then adopted by the states Civil Service Commission. A lock ( On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva, who had been assigned to work in the holding cell area of Trenton Police Headquarters, sprayed Oleoresin Capsicum (commonly referred to a pepper spray) on a prisoner who was confined in a holding cell. Attorneys Molly Lorber, Joseph Gribko and Ray Mateo of the U.S. Attorney=s Office Criminal Division in Trenton in the criminal case. He didnt have a baton. Washington ran from police during a traffic stop and when officers caught up with him at a fence, they ordered him to raise his arms and then climb over the fence, authorities allege. In re Villanueva. The indictment was unsealed on Tuesday, and they were both scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. I never want to be maced again in my life, Singletary previously told this newspaper. To justify their actions, authorities said Inman and Villanueva prepared false and fraudulent reports in which they portrayed Washington as the aggressor and an ongoing threat. The gun-toting drug dealers in Trenton are probably throwing a party tonight since he was taken off the street. As the cell door began to close and was almost shut, Villanueva sprayed the chemical agent inside. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, adopted by the states Civil Service Commission, Villanueva and Trenton police officer Drew Inman. _____ Submitted January 12, 2021 - Decided Before Judges Haas, Mawla, and Natali. |. You're all set! As Singletary headed toward his cell and the door closed behind him, the cop sprayed him with the stinging mace, affecting nearby prisoners. Police Department Kanifah M. Wood, Trenton Police Department Eric W. Woodrow, West Windsor Police Department. To justify their actions against the victim, Inman and Villanueva prepared and submitted false and fraudulent reports, in which they attempted to portray the victim as the aggressor and an ongoing threat. He didnt have a taser, he said. Get free summaries of new New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions opinions delivered to your inbox! Singletary and Villanueva who at last word was being looked at by the feds over allegations of repeated use of excessive force got into it with each other in police lockup over a phone call. The beginning of the videos dont include sound until after Washington is struck, so it is unclear what led the officers to tackle Washington to the ground. His report on that incident included a number of false statements in an attempt to hide his unlawful conduct and improper treatment of the prisoner, authorities said. Its inbred all over. Villanueva argued in his appeal, among other arguments, that the OAL erred by finding that he violated state policy on using pepper spray, and Trenton police failed to conduct an adequate investigation before terminating his employment. TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- Two Trenton police officers are now in trouble with the law. Family members and supporters sat stoically at the back of the courtroom; they declined to comment on the governments case against their loved ones, letting the attorneys to the talking after the hearing. When the police caught him, Washington was brought to the ground, and was then punched several times by three different police officers: Drew Inman, Antony Villanueva andMark Kieffer III. The violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Inman and Villanueva returned to the police station to prepare reports in connection with the victims arrest. Please enter valid email address to continue. Sounds likeVillanueva was under the misconception that police solidarity may is the same if you are a person of color. Aerotek Mark Anthony Villanueva According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On April 9, 2017, a Trenton man involved in a routine traffic stop fled in his vehicle and then on foot and was pursued by Trenton police officers. He only had three things. A New Jersey appeals court has affirmed the 2018 firing of a Trenton police officer terminated for pepper spraying a suspect inside a jail cell. Scott Krasny, Inmans attorney, declined to comment. The Trenton Police Department has punished a number of officers accused of conduct unbecoming a public servant since the turn of the century, culminating with the recent firing of patrol. The Newnan Times-Herald. You dont want to come back here. Villanueva and Inman, their hands shackled in front of them, appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. Ballarotto said his client cooperated with the feds and testified at an administrative law hearing. The false records counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Body cam video acquired by The Trentonian shows an officer, seemingly unprovoked, punch Washington in the head and tackle Washington to the ground, where he was punched even more. Villanueva came up from Washingtons side and punched him in the face while Inman tackled him to the ground. Lord was pleased somebody from law enforcement was paying attention and holding these officers accountable for their criminal conduct. He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. A Trenton police officer and a former colleague accused of assaulting a man they were arresting have pleaded not guilty to civil rights and obstruction of justice counts. A six-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Trenton last week, unsealed Tuesday, charged Villanueva and Inman with deprivation of civil rights under color of law and falsifying police records. Man In Easter Bunny Suit Involved In Florida Brawl Wanted In New Jersey For Car Burglaries. The video appeared to show Singletary slapping Villanuevas hand away from the phone. That came one day after they made their initial court appearances and were each released on $50,000 bail. 11 Powerful Images At The Womens March 2018, Your email will be shared with newsone.com and subject to its, Every Receipt Proving Candace Owens Is A Con Artist Who Is Following The Money, Celebrating The Black History Of Memorial Day, Never Forget: Obamas Tan Suit Media Firestorm Was 7 Years Ago Today. Inman is not charged in the Singletary incident. Sitting next to their attorneys, they remained quiet as U.S. assistant attorney Joseph Gribko briefly recapped the case against them. Police work is difficult and dangerous, but officers need to respect the civil rights of the people they are policing, U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. Jan. 28, 2021) From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research. Court: SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med. Div. Washington jumped into the canal and swam to the opposite bank, climbing up a steep, brush-lined embankment near a parking lot. This is not a Rodney King situation, he said. All Rights Reserved. NBC10 obtained body cam footage of the incident. He plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). TRENTON A Trenton police officer and a former colleague accused of assaulting a man during an arrest have pleaded not guilty to civil rights violations and obstruction of justice charges. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Body cam footage obtained by NBC10 shows the man on the ground and crying out in pain while officers are on top of him. There are 400+ professionals named "Anthony Villanueva", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey, Two Trenton Police Officers Charged with Civil Rights Violations, Obstruction of Justice, U.S. Attorneys Office Reaches Settlement with Ocean County Nail Salon to End Disability Discrimination, Statement Of U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, Former Hillsborough Township School District Official Admits To Paying Kickbacks For Illegal Overtime Payments, Two Trenton Police Officers Charged With Civil Rights Violations, Obstruction of Justice. Villanueva arrested Felton in March 2017 following a foot pursuit following a reported shooting. Villanueva was fired in June 2018 and was in the process of fighting to get his job back. Lock They also took Officer Inman into custody at Trenton police headquarters. Villanueva filed 14 use-of-force reports in a two-year period, higher than the statewide average of 4.1 use-of-force reports per officer over a five-year period, according to NJ.coms reporting on statewide use-of-force records. Villanueva later completed an incident report that contained numerous false statements designed to conceal his unlawful conduct and improper treatment of the prisoner. U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to todays indictment. The indictment says the booking photo, obtained by The Trentonian, showed Washington, who has sued over the beatdown, with a busted, bloodied lip, nose and swelling and brusing around his left eye. Inmans lawyer has declined to comment. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Villanueva grabbed a bottle of mace from the detention area. Villanueva filed a written report later that night setting forth his account of what happened next. . Mar. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. TRENTON A Trenton police officer and a former colleague accused of assaulting a man during an arrest have pleaded not guilty to civil rights violations and obstruction of justice charges. Villanueva was fired by Trenton police last summer for an alleged pattern of excessive force. The charges against both men stem from an April 2017 traffic stop in Trenton. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Washington also got decked in the face by a Villanueva haymaker after he appeared to surrender to cops from behind a chain-link fence after a long chase. Swung his arm around his neck and brought him to the ground, he said. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction while Inman is charged with one count of obstruction in connection to the incident. Officer Anthony Villanueva sprays Quaree Singletary with mace during a lengthy struggle in TPD lockup. While the man complied with further police demands, Villanueva punched him in the face and Inman tackled him to the ground, according to investigators. "It's a question of respect. "It's perfectly proper the way he handled himself," Villanueva's attorney, Jerome Ballarotto, said. At no time during this encounter did the plaintiff harass, or threaten the defendants, nor engage in any conduct, which in any way justified the excessive force used by defendants.. Singletary, describing the horrible burning pain he experienced after getting maced, explained he asked to go to the hospital but was instead given water to flush out his eyes and throat. In proceedings in the OAL and the appeals court, the judge found Villanuevas reporting on the incident was starkly different from parts of the incident caught on police security cameras.
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